#13: How Product Roles Are Changing, and What It Takes to Succeed as a Leader. | Deepika Rudra Murthy (Head of Product @ Gojek)

🎙️ From debugging video code to leading product strategy—how one engineer broke into PM without a roadmap, climbed up the ladder, and built her own playbook along the way.

In this episode, we sit down with Deepika, a former video engineer who made the leap into PM… thanks to a company bold enough to hire a movie director to play the role of a product manager (true story). From busting the myth that PMs need MBAs, to calling out the biggest lies in the industry (spoiler: you don’t need to be the smartest person in the room), she tells it all.

We spoke about:

✅ Her wild career pivot from engineering to PM—and what triggered the switch
✅ The biggest changes in the PM role over the years (hint: it’s no longer just writing specs)
✅ Whether PMs today need to be data storytellers, fast prototypers, or mini-CEOs (and why that last one’s a trap)
✅ How to handle career conflicts—when to escalate vs. when to walk away

Plus, Deepika gets real about mental wellness, setting boundaries, and why staying present is one of the most underrated leadership skills. She also shares how communities like Women in Product helped her grow—and how you can find your people too.

👩‍💻 Shoutout to Women in Product—a global community supporting women in tech with events, mentorship, and career advice. If you're in Singapore and working in product (or thinking about it), follow them for updates on local events and tips to grow your PM career.